America’s law enforcement and the National Rifle Association are stepping up their support for confirming Sen. Jeff Sessions as the next attorney general, warning Senate Democrats that they will pay for a “Nay” vote in the 2018 election, already expected to be a bloodbath for the party.
Both the NRA and the National Sheriffs’ Association told Secrets Wednesday that the vote for the Alabama senator will be used in their 2018 voter’s guide and will likely be a determining factor in whether they will support, or attack, those up for reelection in 2018.
Several Democrats in NRA friendly states are up for reelection. And many of those states were also won by President Trump, who is also likely to campaign for Republicans.
The groups said that the vote will be “scored” in their report card, which in many states wields tremendous influence.
The decision by both the NRA and Sheriffs puts pressure on Democratic senators like Montana Sen. Jon Tester, North Dakota Sen. Heidi Heitkamp and Indiana Sen. Joe Donnelly. Gun rights and support for law enforcement are key issues in those states.
In a statement to Secrets, Chris W. Cox, head of the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action and lobbying shop, said, “The NRA is proud to fight for the confirmation of Senator Jeff Sessions. He knows that criminals are the problem not law abiding gun owners and he will work tirelessly to protect our Second Amendment rights.”
The NRA-ILA is already urging members to call senators in support of Sen. Jeff Sessions.
Jonathan F. Thompson, executive director of the National Sheriffs’ Association, said, “We believe law enforcement deserves an AG that will support the nation’s citizens, all citizens, equally. As well, one that will support not just the words,and concepts of, ‘the rule of law,’ but the men and women committed to enforcing those words and the nation.”
The confirmation of Sessions isn’t expected until next week and it doesn’t appear to be in trouble, according to Trump officials.
Sessions has taken a hard line on issues critical to the groups, among them a rejection of judicial reform that will lead to lighter sentences for criminals and a very tough view of illegal immigration.
By drawing a line in the sand for Sessions, the NRA and Sheriffs are putting Democrats on notice. That could be a potential danger to the nine Democrats up for reelection in states won by Trump, including:
— Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida, where Trump had a 1 point margin of victory.
— Donnelly of Indiana, Trump margin 19 points.
— Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Trump margin 19 points.
— Tester of Montana, Trump margin 21 points.
— Heitkamp of North Dakota, Trump margin 36 points.
— Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Trump margin 8 points.
— Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, Trump margin 1 point.
— Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Trump margin 42 points.
— Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, Trump margin 1 point.
On the NRA-ILA website, Cox was firm in his support for Sessions, writing, “With his many decades of public service and loyal support for our Second Amendment rights, Jeff Sessions is eminently qualified to serve as U.S. attorney general. This fact should be reflected in a respectful and rapid Senate confirmation process. However, should anti-gun senators decide to oppose his confirmation, gun owners must be prepared to come to the defense of our unwavering ally, just as he has come to our defense time and again.”
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected]
